I agree with this. Next Season the heat is on the Demons, and that is a good thing. This club must rise beyond what it has done for many years. We are a new club on & off the field. I like the fact that we are going to be marked very hard next year.

But don't you also think that Freo are wrong to have conceded a 100 point defeat to Hawthorn in the name of maximising the number of wins they can get? If so, is that a consistent view?

Did Melbourne really save their "best game" for the Queen's Birthday clash?? That's poor judgment and a shocking view of the Dees' mentality going into each game. Melbourne go out and play to their absolute best EVERY SINGLE WEEK!! They do it for us. They do it for Jim.

Besides... that game against Sydney was Melbourne's best match of the year closely followed by the Brissy Rnd 5 match and then the QB match.

So what happened against the West Coast Eagles?? That's the point being made here. We as a Club and as supporters have to demand more in order to win that 13th Premiership. Jim knows that, i think it's a big reason he became President-he knows & only he really knows how hard he had to push his mind & Body to get those 244 consecutive games.

That's the kind of effort winning flags in the modern era is going to take. 2010 was great but it is in no way good enough going forward. You cannot switch on and off as a team each week if you plan to make the top 4.

That's what always killed us in the Northey Years, finishing 5th rather than 3rd. 1-2 really bad performances during each year that cost us so dearly.

Imagine if we were playing Freo in 2 weeks....we would be a real chance-but 1-2 performances during this season have again cost us.

As long as the club learns from it, that's all i ask. (Btw the QB game was our best effort for the year. We were under the microscope around the country-the only game in town. That makes a difference)

Edited August 21, 201014 yr by why you little

As long as the club learns from it, that's all i ask.

And that is the key.

We are still in the middle of development mode and are NO WAY in the league of playing a consistent brand of footy where we play out of our skins every week. We'll have duds such as the West Coast game. We'll have rippers such as Queen's B'day and against Sydney. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT!

We are on the verge of where we want to go. Rate us on how we have faired all things into consideration. If you were to rate us against the benchmark in Geelong... we'd be an easy D!!

Melbourne have reached expectations for 2010 and if you reach expectations OR EXCEED (depending on how we fair in the final 2 rounds), that deserves a solid mark.

Edited August 21, 201014 yr by DeezMan

And that is the key.

We are still in the middle of development mode and are NO WAY in the league of playing a consistent brand of footy where we play out of our skins every week. We'll have duds such as the West Coast game. We'll have rippers such as Queen's B'day and against Sydney. THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT!

We are on the verge of where we want to go. Rate us on how we have faired all things into consideration. If you were to rate us against the benchmark in Geelong... we'd be an easy D!!

Melbourne have reached expectations for 2010 and if you reach expectations OR EXCEED (depending on how we fair in the final 2 rounds), that deserves a solid mark.

No arguement there my friend, but in the past i don't think the level has been high enough throughout the whole club.

Next year we must improve again on & off the field-and yes we must aim to be consistent. Dud games are just not acceptable, not even next year. Those days are over, they live with the Junction oval Ghosts.

The odd one will happen i concede but never as many as i have seen each season over the last 40 odd years.

No arguement there my friend, but in the past i don't think the level has been high enough throughout the whole club.

Next year we must improve again on & off the field-and yes we must aim to be consistent. Dud games are just not acceptable, not even next year. Those days are over, they live with the Junction oval Ghosts.

The odd one will happen i concede but never as many as i have seen each season over the last 40 odd years.

Our "dud games" this year have been vs West Coast and vs North. Just because we lose a game doesn't mean it was a "dud" performance. Against Carlton, Saints, Geelong, Hawks... they were all simply too good for our side. Far too classy with far too many players with bigger bodies than our Scully, McKenzie, Watts, Trengove, Morton et al.

Conversely, our "dud games" last year were plentiful and 2008 plentiful still!!! We are getting better. Dud games will eventually dissipate and consistency will occur in our winning game style.

Bring on 2011.

Edited August 21, 201014 yr by DeezMan

But don't you also think that Freo are wrong to have conceded a 100 point defeat to Hawthorn in the name of maximising the number of wins they can get? If so, is that a consistent view?

Yes i believe Freo were very wrong with what they did, whether i am right or wrong will be known soon-but it doesn't sit right with me at all.

Freo had a chance to gain 4th spot but they chose not to fight for it. Bad Precedent.

Freo had a chance to gain 4th spot but they chose not to fight for it. Bad Precedent.

So you think that if Fremantle had fielded their best team, they could have beaten Hawthorn?

I don't.

So you think that if Fremantle had fielded their best team, they could have beaten Hawthorn?

I don't.

Maybe not, but the way they played it was almost the same as forfieting the game. Sponsors and supporters deserve better than that.

Yes teams can pick whatever side they choose, but at the same time they charge big Bucks for memberships and merchandise.

Some people would have spent a lot of money getting to that game, and to have a score of 18 goals to 1 at 3/4 time is just not on.

But Friday will tell the full story....

Yes i believe Freo were very wrong with what they did, whether i am right or wrong will be known soon-but it doesn't sit right with me at all.

Freo had a chance to gain 4th spot but they chose not to fight for it. Bad Precedent.

Perhaps it may set a bad precedent. But, perhaps they were also realistic about there chances of top 4 and perhaps they thought securing a home final in the first week of the finals (by setting themselves for their home game against Carlton) would give them a better chance having rested up to 10-11 players from their starting 18.

Their aim would be to get to the second week of the finals with the knowledge that they have given 10 or 11 players a break before the finals commence. They are giving themselves their best chance (of what they see from their point of view) of reaching a Prelim.

Perhaps it may set a bad precedent. But, perhaps they were also realistic about there chances of top 4 and perhaps they thought securing a home final in the first week of the finals (by setting themselves for their home game against Carlton) would give them a better chance having rested up to 10-11 players from their starting 18.

Their aim would be to get to the second week of the finals with the knowledge that they have given 10 or 11 players a break before the finals commence. They are giving themselves their best chance (of what they see from their point of view) of reaching a Prelim.

I think you are absolutely spot on there HT, but i wouldn't do it. To me it gives the opposition a lot of Ammo to really hit Freo Hard this week, and it also treats the supporters who went to last weeks game with complete disdain.

If the Shockers wish to play that way, when they still have an opportunity for a double chance they should refund every punter who went to the Tassie game.

Onfield: B

Off field: A+

Significant improvement: 3, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 40, 43, 44

Clearly not good enough: 1, 7, 21, 29

Disappointing year: 6, 10, 11

Next year crucial: 2, 11, 19, 25, 27, 39

Onfield: B

Off field: A+

Significant improvement: 3, 4, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 40, 43, 44

Clearly not good enough: 1, 7, 21, 29

Disappointing year: 6, 10, 11

Next year crucial: 2, 11, 19, 25, 27, 39

Fairly accurate.

However...

- Rivers WILL remain in our side until he retires or injury takes its toll etc. You heard it here first. He has turned things around in the latter half of 2010 (no injuries, signed a new contract which has sparked him).

- Next year is only crucial for Maric and Cheney if they are given a crack!!! Cheney has DEESTROYED it in the VFL and had yet another ripper game on the weekend! Trouble is, who makes way for him???

- Disappointing year for Morton, why?? Hopefully your answer is due to his long-term injury he got during pre-season. Hampered him significantly it's fair to say. He's our future, Cale. Strong grab in defense pairs well with Rivers'.

If the Shockers wish to play that way, when they still have an opportunity for a double chance they should refund every punter who went to the Tassie game.

Refunding "punters" would be the last thing on their mind. Harvey's mind is on the prize.

Refunding "punters" would be the last thing on their mind. Harvey's mind is on the prize.

Well aware of that, but i am talking Generally. If Freo's behavior becomes a trend, people will not go to the games.

Just having a look at the ladder last night our wins this year have been against teams in positions (as of now):

15th x 2, 14th, 13th x 2, 12th, 10th, 5th and a draw against the Top side.

This needs to be taken into account I believe when rating how we've gone this year.

Just having a look at the ladder last night our wins this year have been against teams in positions (as of now):

15th x 2, 14th, 13th x 2, 12th, 10th, 5th and a draw against the Top side.

This needs to be taken into account I believe when rating how we've gone this year.

also should be taken into account the very close games against 4th position and 1st positiong earlier on in the season.

Also things dont necessarily mean everything now, when we beat brisbane they didnt have the injuries they do now. That same side beat the first place side. Think must be taken from when we beat them imo not right now.

I reckon the Dees would have had a few more wins this year if Liam had not missed 14 games after shoulder surgery. At the very least, he'd have delivered 2 wins against the Pies.

Well aware of that, but i am talking Generally. If Freo's behavior becomes a trend, people will not go to the games.

Given the circumstances confronting Fremantle in this instance, I doubt it.

What an absolute joke this poll is. Anyone who rated us higher than a C+ is clearly deluded. Given our easy draw at the begining of the season I thought to get where we are now and possibly an outside chance for a finals spot in the 2nd half of the season would have to be the absolute minimum result after all the hard work, tanking and fabulous draft picks of the past few seasons. Anything less, then Bailey would have got the sack for sure. If we didn't tank last year we would have been not far off this season. The great debt demolition campaign euphoria has IMO distracted many into over rating us. People should read the topic question more carefully.

Edited August 26, 201014 yr by america de cali

What an absolute joke this poll is. Anyone who rated us higher than a C+ is clearly deluded. Given our easy draw at the begining of the season I thought to get where we are now and possibly an outside chance for a finals spot in the 2nd half of the season would have to be the absolute minimum result after all the hard work, tanking and fabulous draft picks of the past few seasons. Anything less, then Bailey would have got the sack for sure. If we didn't tank last year we would have been not far off this season. The great debt demolition campaign euphoria has IMO distracted many into over rating us. People should read the topic question more carefully.

Mate, you started the poll.

Mate, you started the poll.

Please correct yourself. Go to page one.

Please correct yourself. Go to page one.

Stand corrected B)

You have to admit that being out of Debt and the work done there has to be counted for as a positive? The debt demolition, coupled with moving into state of the art training facilities will actually assist us in improving the on field.

Off field I agree an outstanding outcome. Could not hope for better. The positive admin was already there last year and delivering. A successful administration has to follow up with a successful team. But onfield is where our productivity is. We have a great business now but are only selling an average product at the moment. Next year I am full of anticipation.

I voted a B+

Our defense this year is cohesive and works as a team. The new Boys Trengove and Scully added with Moloney, Sylvia and Jones in the middle have made for a much more effective midfield. The forward line still only has promise but it is a better setup than last year. The biggest hurdle we must now work on is consistency of effort in all games. Being great one week and good the next is not going to win you premierships.

The biggest plus I saw for this year was our backline. With some more size in the boys next year it will develop even further and hopefully become as effective as collingwoods', Geelongs' or St. Kildas'.

The biggest minus I saw for this year had to be our forward line. Although we had some good performances in some matches, I would not say overall that we have a good forward line. Our forward line is way to inconsistant to win us another 5 or 6 more matches next year to be a real finals contender.